On Wednesday, the Diamondbacks announced the acquisition of 27-year-old LHP Zach Duke from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later. Duke, once a promising young pitching prospect for the beleaguered franchise, suffered through a disappointing 2009-2010 campaign in which he compiled an 8-15 record and posted a career worst 5.72 ERA -- the highest of any NL starter with 150 or more innings -- that led to him being designated for assignment.
D-BACKS ACQUIRE DUKE FROM PIRATES FOR PLAYER TO BE NAMED LATER
(PHOENIX) - The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today they have acquired left-handed pitcher Zach Duke from the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later, according to D-backs' Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Towers.
Duke, 27, compiled a 45-70 record and 4.54 ERA (486 ER in 964.1 IP) with 263 walks and 505 strikeouts over parts of six seasons with the Pirates from 2005-10. He garnered National League Rookie of the Month honors twice during the 2005 season while also leading NL rookies with a 1.81 ERA (17 ER in 84.2 IP) and tying for third with 8 wins. The left-hander posted an 8-15 record and 5.72 ERA (101 ER in 159.0 IP) with 51 walks and 96 strikeouts in 29 starts while making his second Opening Day start with the Pirates in 2010. Duke led Pirates pitchers with 5 wins and 15 starts after the All-Star break last season and leads all pitchers in the 10-year history of PNC Park with a 31-31 record in 81 starts.
Duke was named to his first All-Star Game in 2009 and went on to win a career-high 11 games, while tying for third in the NL with 3 complete games. He was selected by the Pirates in the 20th round of the 2001 First-Year Player Draft.
The move brings the D-backs' 40-man roster to 40 players.